Education is a powerful catalyst for change, and for millions of girls across the globe, that change has been made possible through a strategic partnership between China and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Established in 2015, the Prize for Girls' and Women's Education stands as the first UNESCO award specifically dedicated to this cause. Funded by the Chinese government, the initiative aims to dismantle barriers to learning and create equitable opportunities for women worldwide. To date, the prize has recognized 20 projects across 19 countries, directly benefiting more than 6 million girls.
The prize operates on an annual basis, granting $50,000 to two laureates each year. These funds are critical in scaling local projects and ensuring that educational resources reach the most underserved populations.
This commitment was further underscored recently in Beijing, where Peng Liyuan, a UNESCO special envoy for the advancement of girls' and women's education and wife of Chinese President Xi Jinping, met with Khaled El-Enany, the Director-General of UNESCO.
During the meeting, Peng reaffirmed her dedication to her role as special envoy. She emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with UNESCO to ensure continuous progress in the global fight for educational gender equality, highlighting China's long-term vision for a more inclusive and educated world.
Reference(s):
How China helps advance girls' and women's education worldwide
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